| First Drive | Reykjavik, Iceland | Volkswagen Golf |

A conservative makeover for Volkswagen's Golf brings big improvements in quality and refinement and premium car equipment to the company's most important model. Sharper to drive and neater inside and out, the new Golf isn't a radical change over the outgoing model, but that's part of its appeal.

In the Metal

Volkswagen claims that this new Golf highlights the familial look for the entire range, pointing to its shaper lines, neat shut lines and new black grille. If that's the case don't expect any wild changes to Volkswagen's future line-up as the Golf's new look is so similar to its predecessor that you really need to see them side by side to spot the differences. Key changes are to the head and tail lamps, the front lights framed by a grille that's similar to that on the new Scirocco. There's a new beltline crease down the Golf's flanks too, but unless you're Volkswagen's very excited exterior designer it's unlikely you're going to be blown away by the Golf's new style. Familiar, but subtly different then, the new Golf's a smart, solid looking car. It's just not a radically different one.

What you get for your Money

Where the Golf feels different is inside. The dash is much the same as those used in the Scirocco and Eos, with big improvements to interior quality and feel. Volkswagen also makes a big deal out of the white backlit instruments, binning its old signature blue instrument lighting for the new Golf. It feels like a far higher quality car inside, the seats firm and supportive while refinement is excellent. Every model comes with air conditioning, seven airbags and a CD stereo system as standard, Volkswagen pointing to the availability of premium-level equipment options like Automatic Distance Control and Park Assist as a means of moving the Golf upmarket.

Driving it

Refinement improvements have been one of the key goals in this new sixth-generation Golf. Getting in and turning the key underlines that VW has been very successful in achieving that aim. It's eerily quiet when starting, Volkswagen's change to common rail turbodiesels meaning even starting the TDI models require a quick check of the rev counter to confirm it's fired into life. Only two of the eventual six engine choices were available to drive in Iceland: the 2.0-litre TDI with 138bhp and the 1.4 TSI Twincharger engine with 158bhp. Inexplicably, only DSG automatic transmissions were available for this early drive, too.

Of the two engines it's the turbodiesel that impresses most. The easy, linear delivery of its power makes it deceptively rapid, it managing 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds - the TSI Twincharger petrol covering the same sprint 1.3 seconds quicker. Add the Golf's impressive new found refinement and it's easy to find yourself carrying more speed than you think in either. Improvements to the chassis make the Golf a more entertaining car to drive than before, the steering nicely weighted and precise though there's precious little feel through the wheel's chunky rim. Being highly specified launch cars all were fitted with VW's DDC Adaptive Chassis Control giving the choice between Sport, Comfort or a default setting. Sport firms everything up to the detriment of ride comfort and it's actually best left on its default setting for everyday driving. Roll control is impressive, the Golf rewarding more than its predecessor in the bends, though it still trails its Ford Focus rival for ultimate dynamic ability and driver feedback and interaction.

Worth Noting

However, Volkswagen isn't trying to out-Focus the Ford with its Golf regarding driver appeal; VW's customers are looking for something a little more refined and mature. And the Golf delivers. It's hugely refined, feels beautifully built and drives sharply enough for all but the most demanding of drivers. Certainly the chassis shows enormous promise for the GTI model that arrives in 2009. Every derivative across the range sees improvements in economy and emissions - critical in these greener times - and Volkswagen will offer a BlueMotion version soon with just 99g/km of CO₂ - that being the level of the existing Polo BlueMotion. The TSI Twincharger engine underlines VW's downsizing policy with the Golf, its output of 158bhp achieved from a super and turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, while combined economy is an impressive 47.1mpg.

Summary

Volkswagen has been conservative with its sixth generation Golf's styling, but the overall package is significantly improved. Building on the Golf's reputation for quality the new car really does feel above its key rivals for interior ambience, comfort and refinement. It drives better than ever too, and should you have deep pockets you can specify it with the sort of equipment that used to be exclusively reserved for the executive class. Prices remain largely the same in comparison to the outgoing model, the Golf on sale from December, with deliveries in January. Same but different then, Volkswagen seems to be confident that its new car will add to the 26 million Golfs that have already been produced in the car's six generations; after driving the new version we've little reason to doubt that.